Elevator



July 9, 1946. A; CHANTLAND ELEVATOR Filed Sept. 21, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet1 R o mwv O N\:\ & m 3 mm QM; mm W a W 9N on 9, on \m N Nfi W 3 3 QM 1 WN N .IN.

fff i- July 9, 1946. A. CHANTLAND ELEVATOR Filed Sept. 21, 1944 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INvENToR ALFRED CHANTLAN D Patented July 9, 1946 UNITEDSTATES Y PATENT OFFICE 3Claims. 1

This invention relates generally to elevators and in particular to aportable elevator adapted for use in warehouses to elevate bags, boxesand the like for stacking and storing purposes, and for elevatingarticles from a ground surface into a vehicle for shipment.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved elevator.

Another object of this invention is to provide an elevator which iscapable of adjustment to and support in any position betweensubstantially horizontal and upright positions.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide an elevator whichis light in weight, capable of being easily maneuvered to a desiredoperating position by one man, and compactly arranged and assembled as acomplete unit within the dimensional confines of a main frame therefor.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an elevatorcapable of adjustable movement to a position inclined upwardly from itsreceiving end, and adapted to have its delivery end supported on theground at varying distances from such receiving end.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of an elevatoradapted to be horizontally positioned for storage and handling purposes,and provided with adjustable supporting means for holding the elevatorin an adjusted position inclined upwardly from its receiving endincluding an extensible horizontal frame pivoted at one end to thereceiving end of the elevator. A pivoted frame is fulcrumed to theopposite end of the horizontal frame with its free end in bearingengagement with the under side of the elevator. On pivotal movement ofthe pivoted frame the inclined position of the elevator is changed, withthe extension and contraction of the horizontal frame moving the fulcrumof the pivoted frame longitudinally of the elevator frame to prevent anydownward tipping of the delivery end of the elevator.

Other objects, features. and advantages of this,

invention will become apparent from the following description when takenin connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the elevator of this invention,with certain parts broken away;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; v v

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view as seen onthe line3-3inFig.4; Y I

Fig. 4 is an end elevatlonal view of the elevator looking towards theleft in Fig. 1;

I ably supported at each a substantially horizontal position surfacesince no part thereof extends below the Fig. 5 is a plan view of theelevator supporting means with the elevator removed for the purpose ofclarity; and

Fig. 6 is a detail view of a ratchet and pawl device associated with theelevator supporting means.

With reference to the drawings the elevator of this invention is shownin Figs. 1 and 4 as including a main frame comprised of a pair ofoppositely arranged upright side members ll. Rotatend of the elevatorframe and between the side members are shafts H carrying gears l2 formovably supporting a conveyor including a pair of chains l3, operativelyassociated with the gears l2, and cleats or cross members l4 connectedbetween the chains I3. The chains are slidably supported on a boardmember l5 connected between the .tops of the upright side membersv l0and extended longitudinally of the main or elevator frame. As bstappears in Figs, 1 and 2 the upper ends of the upright side members I0project above the top surface of the board member l5 and constitute sideguides for the elevator conveyor.

The conveyor is driven by an electric motor l6 carried between the sidemembers I ll substantially centrally of the elevator frame, andconnected with the conveyor through a transmission system including apair of shafts I 1 and I8 rotatably supported between the side membersIII in a longitudinally spaced relation between the motor l6 andelevator delivery end 28. The shaft l1 carries pulleys l9 and 2| locatedbetween the side members In, with the pulley 2| being beltconnected witha pulley 22 carried on the shaft 23 for the motor Hi. The pulley I9 isbelt-connected with a pulley 24 mounted on the shaft I8. A second pulley26 on the shaft in is belt-connected with a pulley 21. carried on theshaft II at the delivery end 28 of the elevator. The motor I6 isprovided with a plug-in attachment (not shown) for connection with asuitable source of electrical supply.

From a consideration of Figs. 1 and 4, therefore; it is seen that themotor l6, conveyor, and transmission system connecting the motorwith theconveyor are compactly arranged between the side members It) and withinthe upright dimensional confines of the members Ill. The elevator isthus capable of being lowered and operated in on the ground level of theunder side of the members ID.

The elevator is generally operated at an angle inclined upwardly fromits receiving end 29 with the angle of inclination being dependent uponthe elevation to which articles are to be lifted. when the elevator isnot in use it is desirable that it be in a substantially horizontalplane to provide for its ready storage and convenient maneuverabilitywithout interference from any overhead obstructions.

In the present invention the elevator is ad-- justably movable forsupport between substantially horizontal-and upright positions by meansincluding a horizontal frame having a pair of telescoping side units 3|arranged at opposite sides of the elevator frame. Each unit 3| includesa member 32 telescoped within a pipe member 33. The members 32 and 33are held in an adjusted position against relative longitudinal movementby the provision of a pin 34' extendible through the pipe member 33 andthrough a selected one of longitudinally spaced openings 33 in themember 32. The end 39 of each member 32 is of a flattened form andplvotally supported to the outside of a corresponding side member l on ashaft 31 carried between the side members l0 adjacent the receiving end29 of the elevator (Figs. 1 and 2). Ends 39 are maintained on the shaft31 by pins 35 projected through opposite ends of the shaft 31. The end39 of each member 33 is of a flat form and supported on a tubular axleor pipe member 39 extended between the telescoping units 3 I Axle 39 issecured to the ends 39 by bolt assemblies 4| (Fig. 3).

It is seen, therefore, that the horizontal frame is pivoted on the shaft31 adjacent the receiving end 29 of the elevator, with the telescopingunits 3| positioned to opposite sides of the elevator and divergedoutwardly from each other in a direction toward the axle 39 as bestappears in Fig. 5.

Rotatably mounted at each end of the axle 39 is a ground-engaging wheel42. A pair. of

wheels 43 adjacent the receiving end 29 of the elevator are rotatablysupported at the lower end of a corresponding shank or upright support44. Each shank 44 is extended through a bracket 43 carried on a member32 adjacent its pivoted support 31. Adjustment of the elevator receivingend 29 relative to the ground is accomplished by the provision oflongitudinally spaced holes 41 in a shank 44 adapted to receive a pin 48which rests on the top surface of a bracket 43.

A pivoted frame, indicated generally as 49, is comprised of a. pair ofoppositely arranged spaced members 5| each of which carries a closed Umember 52 at one end adapted for pivotalconnection with the axle 39(Figs. 3 and 5). The members 5| are connected together by brace members53 and 51 and converge inwardly toward their free ends 53 between whicha roller 54 is rotatably supported. The elevator frame is receivable onthe roller 54 between the free ends 53. which constitute stops or guidesfor retaining the elevator frame on the roller 54. Thus as shown in Fig.lthe roller 54 is in bearing engagement against the under side of themembers l9 and on pivotal movement of the frame 49 is movablelongitudinally. of the elevator frame over drum 59 and at its oppositeend with a bracket 33 supported on a corresponding member 32 near itspivot 31. A ratchet 33a is mounted on the its complete length to varythe upward inclination of the elevator relative to its receiving end 29.

Pivotal movement of the frame 49 is accomplished by means including apair of winding drums or pulleys 59 mounted on a shaft 59 extendedbetween the members 5| and rotatably supported in plate members 39 and35 carried on the members 5| adjacent their free ends 53. A cable 3| isconnected at one end shaft 59 adjacent the supporting plate 39 (Fig. 6)and is operatively associated with a pawl 34 pivoted at 33 on thesupporting plate 39 and normally biased into an engaging position withthe ratchet 33a by a spring 31. The shaft 59 is manually rotated by ahandle or crank 38 mounted at one end thereof to in turn wind and unwindthe cables 9| on the drums 59.

In the operation of the adjustable supporting means let it be assumedthat the angle of inclination of the elevator is to be decreased fromits full line position in Fig. 1 to its dotted line position also shownin Fig. 1. The handle 38 is operated to rotate the shaft 59 in adirection to unwind the cables 3| from the pulleys 59, with the weightof the elevator plvotally moving the frame 49 in a direction toward theelevator delivery end 29 to its dotted line position. This adjustedpositionof the frame 49 is maintained by the ratchet and pawl mechanism33a-31' which locks the shaft 59 against rotation.

As clearly appears in Fig. 1 only the guide portions of the ends 53 ofthe members 5| extend beyond the roller 54 so that regardless of theinclined position of the elevator no part of the pivoted frame 49 isextended beyond the top side of the member I9. As a result the pivotedframe 49 does not interfere at any time with the passage of articlesupwardly on the conveyor. In some instances the roller 54 might engagethe frame at a distance from the elevator delivery end 29 such that thedelivery end will tip downwardly under the weight of articles beingelevated. This condition is overcome in the present invention by theprovision of the telescoping units 3|. Thus by extending the telescopingunits 3| the fulcrum for the pivoted frame 49 is movable longitudinallyof the elevator toward and away from its receiving end 29 whereby tovary the distance between the roller 54 and the delivery end 29. A solidand adjustable support is thus provided for the elevator frame at allinclined positions, while maintaining some overhang of the delivery endof the elevator relative to the frame 49 to permit an extension of theelevator over the stack of the articles being stored. It will readily beappreciated, of course, that the telescoping units 3| may be adjusted inconjunction with the pivoted frame 49 to incline the elevator at adesired angle.

By virtue of the spaced arrangement of the telescoping side units 3| ofthe horizontal frame the elevator is capable of being loweredtherebetween to a substantially horizontal position,

limited by the axle 39, and with the units 3| positioned at oppositesides of the elevator.

From a consideration of the above description, therefore, it is seenthat the invention provides a portable elevator which is of a compactand unit assembly, adapted to be adjusted and supported at an inclinedposition relative to its receiving end between substantially horizontaland upright positions, and with the supporting means at any adjustedposition of the elevator being entirely free of the moving parts of theelevator and articles elevated thereby. Adjustment is accomplished byframe means including an extendible horizontal portion, and an uprightportion in bearing engagement against the under side of the elevator andadjustable for up and down movement. By virtue of this double adjustmentof with a winding 25 the frame means the elevator is capable of being 5positively supported W any tipping movementwhileinaninclinedposition.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a particularembodiment thereof itistobeunderatoodthatitisnottebesolllmitedsincecbangesandmodincationscanbe made therein ina manner withinthe full in:- tended scope of this invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

Ielaim: 1. In an elevator comprising an elevator frame, adjustable meansfor supporting said elevator frame in an adjusted inclined positionupwardlyfromoneendthereofincludingapairof horizontal telescoping unitsarranged at opposite sides of said frame and pivoted at one of theirends to said one end of the elevator frame, a shaft connected betweenthe opposite ends of said telescoping units..a pivoted framepivotallysupportcdonsaidshafameansatthefreeend of said pivoted frameadapted for bearing en- ,,.gagement with the under side of said elevatorframe, and means for pivotally moving and h'oldin: said upri ht frame ina pivotally moved positiontovarytheangularinclinationofsaid elevatorframe. with said'shaft being movable longitudinally of said elevatorframe on actuation of said telescoping units to adjust the fulcrum forsaid pivoted frame longitudinally of said elevator-frame.

2. An elevator comprising an elevator frame including a pair ofoppositely-arranged'upright side members, adjustable means forsupporting said elevator frame inan adjusted positioninclinedupwardlyfromoneendthereofincluding frame, and means forreleasabiy' holding said pivoted frame in a mom position, with. longitudinal adjustment of said horizontal frame moving the fulcrum forsaidpivoted frame longhtudin'ally of said elevator frame.

i8 3. In an elevator comprising an elevator frame,

means providing for the adjustable support of'saidframeinsnypositionbetweenasubstantially horizontal position and asubstantially upright position including a horizontal frame havin'g'apair of telescopina side units arranged at opposite sides of saidelevator frame, means pivotally connecting said horizontal frame at oneendwithoneend ofsaid elevatorframe, apivoted Y frame fulcrumed at theopposite end of said honsontalframemeansatthefreeendofsaid pivoted frameadapted for-bearing engagement with the under side of said elevatorframe, and

means for pivotally moving and holding said pivoted frame in a movedposition, with the ggcontraction and expansion ofsaidtelescoping unitsproviding for a movement of the fulcrum for said pivoted frame towardand away from I saidoneendoftheelevatorframe.

